Improvement in clasps or couplings for harness



1. A. SALMON & T. coGsWELL.

CLA'SPSVOR COUPLINGS'FOR HARNES v No.173,06 6. ,Patented Feb. 1, 1876..`

N-PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPH'ER, WASHINGTON. C4

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

mA A. SALMON- ANDI VTHOMAS OOGSWELL, or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN cLAsPs on couPLlNes FOR HARNEsS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.y 173,066, dated 'February 1, 1876; application filed October 27, 187.5. i I

To all Awhom it may. concern:

Be it known that we, IRA A. SALMON and to the accompanying drawings, making.- part of this specification, in which- AFigure l is a side elevation of one mode ofv applying our coupling to the driving-rein.. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, showing the mode of coupling the drivipg-reinwith the bit-ring. Fig. 3 is a representation of a driving-rein coupler with a metallic loop covered with leather or other material. Fig. 4 is a perspective viewof the coupler, Fig. 3, open and without the strap, its metallic loop covered with leather. Fig. 5 is a side view of 3 and 4 closed without the leather. covering. Fig. 6'` is a side view of the coupler used in Fig. 2.' Fig. 7 is theupper side of the same. Fig. 8 is the bottom side of the same. The object of our invention is to provide a cheap, convenient7 and easily-applied clasp or coupling for straps; and it consists of two plates, one provided with two fixed studs or posts, and the other provided with two slotted Openings, as hereinafter more specilically described, and is an improvement uponk the patent granted to Thomas Gogswell on November 25, A. D. 1873. v

In order that those skilledV inthe art may make and use our invention, we will proceed vto describe the kmanner in which we have car-4 ried it out.

In the said drawings, A isa strap, with a I loop, a, at its end, properly punched with holes.

B is a metal plate, in which, near its ends, are fixed two metal studs, rivets, or projections, c c', which have grooves c c around them, near their-upper ends. C isanother metal plate, having in one endthe curved slotted opening d, and in the other the longitudinal slotted opening e, corresponding` in 'position with and intended to receive the projections c c. In striking up the metallic piece G the slot e is formed by punching the tongue t' in the shape shown', (the tip at 2 being cut'of) and leaving it attached to the piece G at the point o. (See Figs. 2, 3,4, and 7.) This of the studs c', and a slot, g, of a properl size pressed into it. After the stud c is in place in theslot gthe tongue t is forced down yby a punch or otherwise ina plane with the piece 0,'and its end passes'intothe groove c, and securely holds the stud c `in position.

Itis intended that this fastening shall, after being applied, be concealed by a sliding loop, or equivalent means, or it may beenameled o r plated and used without a loop.

in distance apart with the studs c c', Fig.'l. Through one `hole in the strap is passed the stud c.

stud c. The enlargement of the slot in the piece C is then placed 'over the head of the stud of., and the stud is then slipped by means of the groove 0 into the slotted end g. The

stud is. held securely, though the plate C will revolve around vthe stud c. The plate 'C' is then brought around until the curved slot d ticity of the plate B acting as a spring to the slot g.

Figure-1 shows a modification of our device, the loop being in a separate piece from the main strap, or the vstrap A may be continuous when it is not important to have the finished The latter may be accomplished, as seen in IFig. 2, by stitching the loop a to the main strap A with the finished' or unfinished sides of the leather in contact, so that when the loop is folded and fastened the loop and strap present only a finished surface.

taching the driving-rein to the bit-ring, and also for other places Where great strength is required, is to extend the end of the plate B suciently to form a metallic loop, D, in the stud c, and may be covered with leather or leaves an opening having an enlargement, r, of a size suficient to receive the head of one to seize the stud around the groove c when A' The operation is as follows: `The strap being looped holes are punched corresponding Through another hole in the strap and a hole in the-end of the loop is passed thev tongue is forced down and the head ofthe engages around the head of the stud c in the groove c", and the loop a is secured, the elas-` cause the stud c tosnap into the inner end of I.

side of the strap and loop shown in front."

Another method adapted especially for atl end of which is a hole, f, which ts over theY ceal this clasp or coupling, is seen in cross-A section in Fig. 1, and is so embossed as to present depressions on the inner surface, at the points where the heads of the studs c c come in contact with it, and these depressions receive the heads of the studs and prevent the loops from slipping out oi' position. These 'loops may be lined with thin metal at the points where the heads of the'studs come, so as not to slip off the heads of the posts and become loose, or a metallic spring may be used to fasten them.

Having thus described our invention, what we desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The plate B, having the fixed stud c c', in combination with the plate D,V having the slots d and e, substantially as set forth.

2. The loop1 either united to and forming an extension of plate B, or separate from it, in combination with the coupler, consisting of plate B, with its studs, and plate or latch C, swinging upon the further stud'and engaging with the oneover which the loop takes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The plate D, constructed with the tongue g for the purpose of securing it to the stud c', substantially as described.

4. In combination with the coupling herein described, the loop, stitched to the rein in such manner that its finished side shall continue from the unfinished side ot' the latter, so as to present a continuous finished surface with it when looped, substantially as described.

5. In combination with the coupling, the

sliding loop, embossed so as to form depressions in its inner surface for receiving the heads of the studs c c', as set forth.

I. A. SALMON. THOS. GOGSWELL. 

